Health and Fitness Expo

2.26.14 - “We Run This City” Youth Marathon Wins Award for Youth Program of the Year

Executive Director Re-Elected to Running USA Board of Directors

CLEVELAND (Feb. 26, 2014) - The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon and the YMCA of Greater Cleveland recently won an award for "Youth Program of the Year" from Running USA. The two organizations won for the Cleveland We Run This City youth marathon, a 14-week program that teaches young people to set and achieve goals by preparing them to run in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.

Tara Taylor, We Run This City senior program director, and Jack Staph, Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon executive director, both accepted the award at Running USA's 11th Annual Industry Conference held in San Diego on Feb. 10.

"Being recognized as the Youth Program of the Year is an honor for WRTC," said Taylor. "This award acknowledges our work and the work of our partners including Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Cleveland Metropolitan School District and the Prevention Research Center at Case Western Reserve University, over the last nine years."

Along with the award, the organization also won a $5,000 grant. The awarded funds will go to providing runners participating in the program with new shoes.

"We are so excited that the YMCA of Greater Cleveland's youth marathon program, We Run This City, has been recognized with this national award," said Jack Staph, Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon executive director. "The hard work Tara and her team of students, teachers and supporters put into preparing for the marathon each year is incredible - and this award proves it. The program itself is great example of the Y's initiative to combat childhood obesity and how many different entities in Cleveland are working together for the same cause."

Staph, executive director and owner of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, was also recently re-elected to the 2014 Running USA Board of Directors after a national vote from the organization's members. Running USA is a national non-profit focused on advancing the growth and achievement of the running industry in America, while positively building the sport and promoting quality services that enhance its members' business, including races and products.

"I am honored to have been re-elected to the board," said Staph. "I am pleased to be able to continue serving and offering my insight from years in business, as well as my last two years of experience on the board. The knowledge I can take back to the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is invaluable, and I hope to help others as well."

The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is celebrating its 37th annual running on May 18, 2014 and Staph has led the Cleveland Marathon to a 315 percent increase in runners over the past ten years. The race is expecting more than 20,000 participants in 2014 and registrations to date are up from this date last year.

The Running USA board is made up of 17 distinguished leaders of the running industry. Running USA Board of Directors and Officers bios are available at: http://www.runningusa.org/board-of-directors-14. The newly elected board met for the first time in San Diego, CA on Feb. 9 at the Marriott Marquis & Marina.

One of the 50 oldest races in the country, the 2014 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon will take place May 17-18. The following opportunities are available for people to participate in the event: full marathon, half marathon, 10K, full marathon walking division, half marathon walking division, 10K walking division, 5K (run or walk) and Kids' Run. Online registration and further information is available at www.clevelandmarathon.com.

Last year, the half marathon sold out for the third year in a row and the marathon, 10K and 5K came close to reaching their respective caps as well. 20,134 people competed in the 2013 events over the course of the weekend. Race organizers are expecting more than 20,000 participants for the 37th annual event in May.

There are also opportunities for non-profit organizations to raise funds through their participation in the race through Cleveland Marathon Charities, for which information can also be found on the marathon's website.

About the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon

The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is in its 37th year of providing a fitness experience for all individuals who want to participate regardless of their abilities. The event offers a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon - all of which participants can choose to run or walk. More than 375,000 runners have participated, generating more than $18 million annually to benefit the Cleveland community. www.clevelandmarathon.com

Mission Statement: • To provide a running experience for all individuals who want to participate regardless of their abilities. • To produce an event that highlights the Cleveland community and provides a positive economic impact for the community. • To give charities an opportunity to benefit financially from the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K events.